I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

Chapter 86 " It's nice to meet you , Ms. Valencia , Ms. Pearson . You're both just as pretty as our mom , " Arielle said sweetly . Adrian followed her lead and politely greeted them . Kate smiled softly . " Nice to meet you , too . " Carolyn lit up the moment she saw them . " Oh my God ! What a pair of adorable kids ! Let me hug you ! " Arielle took an instant liking to Carolyn and happily let her hold her . Kate , worried that Adrian might feel left out , reached out to hug him , too . But Adrian shook his head politely . " I'm a bit heavy , Ms. Pearson . You don't have to .

" That little gentlemanly act almost melted her heart . Smiling , Kate said , " We bought you new toys . Let's go play . " " Thank you , Ms. Pearson ! " Carter didn't look happy as he watched the group ahead , laughing and chatting . Lauren , walking slowly , held onto his hand as they made their way forward at a leisurely pace . From afar , anyone might have thought that they were just another couple on a relaxed trip . " Rhea's friends all seem to drive luxury cars , " Lauren remarked . " I'm really worried that she's been influenced by them .

Nothing stirs up trouble like a friend whispering in your ear . " At that , Carter's gaze turned a little colder as it swept toward Carolyn and Kate . On the grassy field , the ladies spread out a picnic blanket . Carolyn had the kids giggling nonstop with her silly jokes . Lauren purposely chose a spot nearby . " Carter , I'm craving oranges . Can you peel one for me ? " she asked sweetly . Carter didn't glance toward Rhea's side . He peeled an orange and handed it over to Lauren . " Drink some water , too . " Lauren gave him a soft smile . " Thanks .

" Their little display , as if they were the only two people in the world , made Carolyn grind her teeth . " Dad ! Mom ! Come fly kites with us ! " Arielle called out . Upon hearing that , Lauren started to get up . " Alright . I'm coming . " But when she looked up , she saw Arielle pulling Rhea to her feet . Adrian ran over and tugged Carter away , too . Lauren was left sitting awkwardly alone on the picnic blanket . 1/2 Chapter 86 Carolyn couldn't help herself . She let out a very deliberate chuckle . Lauren clenched her jaw and watched the happy family of four running with their kites .

+25 BONUS Carolyn raised her voice on purpose and said , " I'm really happy for Rhea . Soon their family of four will become a family of five ! " Kate knew that she was saying it on purpose for Lauren to hear , so she simply smiled . Lauren glanced over at them . Carolyn was dressed in custom - made clothing . Lauren could tell because the jacket she left on the picnic blanket had no visible brand tags inside . Kate sat cross - legged . The jewelry she wore was clearly of the kind that wasn't even for sale . Neither woman seemed to lack money .

But in Lauren's eyes , that wasn't a symbol of status . She was convinced that these two women must have been mistresses to some wealthy men . How else could they afford such extravagance ? There was no way women in their 20s could afford to drive luxury cars and wear jewelry that expensive . She didn't think it could be old money . Someone like Rhea would never even have access to that kind of social network . At that thought , Lauren felt reassured . She figured that they were just cheap women pretending to be classy , and weren't worth getting worked up over . " Evelyn ?

" Carolyn spotted Evelyn jogging toward them . Evelyn made her way over . Her gaze briefly fell on Lauren with an unreadable glint . Without saying anything , she took a seat beside Carolyn and Kate . " Why did you go back ? " Carolyn asked . Evelyn replied in a low voice , " I went to find my brother . Guess what he gave Kate caught on quickly . " Something about Lauren ? " " Bingo . " me ? " Evelyn continued mysteriously , " That medical record of Lauren's ? It's fake . That's not all- "